party possibilities
Childrens Parties
 September 2006
   

In honor of my daughters, Lauren (3 1/2), Amanda (18 months) and Kyra (6 days old), this issue of party possibilities focuses on children's parties (ages 0-10) - theme ideas, success tips and an inspirational design to jump start your creativity.

posh parties LLC is well-versed in planning all types of parties, including children's celebrations - birthdays, of course, but also welcome baby parties, holiday parties, school parties and just-because parties.

If you're planning a party for a child in the near future and need assistance with creative ideas or actual party planning, we invite you to contact us.

Ingredients for a Successful Party
girl cake

Hosting a memorable birthday party is easy, if you mix good friends with lots of fun games and yummy cake.

Friends
A good rule of thumb to determine the number of children to invite is 1 + the birthday person's age. So, for a 4 year old birthday party, the total number of children would be 5. However, as children get older, a larger group of friends is fine; just enlist the help of a few moms and dads.

Games
Games can be individual or group activities. Smaller children (3-5) prefer games with simple instructions, like musical statues or pin the tail, that can be repeated over and over while older children (6+) prefer more complex activities, like scavenger hunts.

Cake
Homemade or store-bought, cake is the centerpiece of a party. Children gather around the birthday person to sing 'Happy Birthday', cheer him/her on to blow out the candles and make a wish, and then, savor the yummy frosting.

Other tips for a successful party include:

  • Plan parties around naptime and keep them short (1 1/2 hours).
  • Have lots of games to keep them busy.
  • Conduct a high-energy game followed by a low- key one.
  • Smaller children enjoy face painting and wearing costumes, whereas older children (5+) will finally enjoy clowns, magicians and cartoon characters.
  • Serve cupcakes instead of slices of cake to smaller children (1-5).
  • Provide bite size, finger food like cocktail sausages, mini burgers or slivers of pizza.
  • Stickers, books, small gadgets and items made at the party make great favors.
  • If you open gifts at the party, practice saying 'thank you' with your child in advance.
Event Design
A Puppy Party
invite

My daughter, Lauren, is crazy about puppies - from the friendly neighborhood canine to the soft and stuffed variety, as well as her beloved cartoon friends - Blues Clues, Clifford the Big Red Dog and most of all, Snoopy. As her 2nd birthday approached, I knew that a 'puppy party' was a must but wondered how I would bring this theme to life. Below is my event design, which may inspire your next party.

Invitation and Thank You Note
Using 6"x6" glossy, double-sided photo paper and online clip art, I created a 'puppy' invitation (above) in Microsoft Word and mailed it in a bright yellow vellum envelope.

Using the same design, I created a personalized thank you note with a picture of Lauren and the recipient in the doghouse.

Decor

  • Doghouse filled with stuffed animals (the doghouse was an old Halloween Haunted House painted white with a black roof but any cardboard box will do);
  • Assorted dog ear headbands (a la party hats)
  • Dog bone sippy cups with straws
  • Stuffed animals on the food table
  • 'Puppy' music and sound clips
  • The basics - balloons and streamers

Games
Since my daughter and her friends were 2 years old, I didn't have to provide a lot of games; the doghouse with it's many 'puppies' was sufficient for 'pretend' play. However, I've since come across two great game ideas for this theme: 1. bury numbered dog bones in sand (or big box with shredded paper or styrofoam peanuts) for a treasure hunt and give prizes to corresponding numbers and 2. water bowl relay races - obviously, better suited for an outdoor party.

Food and Drinks

  • Mini hot dogs wrapped in Pillsbury crescent rolls
  • Chips and dip
  • Fresh fruit salad
  • White grape juice and water

Birthday Cake
For the birthday girl, I made a large dog bone-shaped cake served in a huge metal dog bowl.

For the guests, I made 'paw print' cupcakes.
Both cakes were made from specialty cookie cutters and served with ice cream.

Favors
Sippy cups and puppy ears (decor) PLUS dog bone- shaped sugar cookies with assorted puppy stickers packaged in a clear treat bag with custom 'Thank You' puppy sticker.
One Last Thought

Children's expectations are lower than you would imagine. Again, their idea of a fun party includes friends, games and a birthday cake!

Wishing you many 'eventful' parties,


Ashleigh Dorfman, CSEP
posh parties, LLC
phone: 703.476.6530